Omar Abdulrahman has been included in the UAE squad for their upcoming training camp as preparations ramp up for next month's World Cup play-off against Australia.
The Shabab Al Ahli playmaker, who last featured for the national team in November 2019, was among the 30-man group named on Monday by manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
Seeking to reach only a second global finals in the country’s history, the UAE begin their domestic training camp on Tuesday, ahead of what they hope will be the first of two matches to book a spot at Qatar 2022.
Arruabarrena’s side take on Australia on June 7 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan just outside Doha. Should they come through that, will then face Peru six days later for a place at the World Cup. The UAE play Gambia in a friendly in Dubai on Sunday before travelling to Doha the following day.
The squad announced on Monday contained a number of fresh call-ups, including Baniyas centre-back Khaled Hashemi and Sharjah full-back Khaled Al Dhanhani, with club teammate Alhasan Saleh, Al Ain midfielder Yahya Nader and Shabab Al Ahli counterpart Abdullah Al Naqbi also featuring.
However, Abdulrahman’s return to the national team set-up represents the most notable inclusion. The midfielder, the 2016 Asian player of the year, had spent the majority of the season on the sidelines through injury until last month – up to that point, he had played only twice in the 2021/22 Adnoc Pro League – but was in inspired form in the Asian Champions League group stages. Abdulrahman, 30, had not played competitively since early January.
Speaking last month regarding a potential international call-up, the former Al Ain and Al Hilal star said: “With no doubt, even if I'm not ready. Being 50 per cent ready means you're ready. However, I am 100 per cent ready because it is everybody's dream, it is the dream of UAE.
“I hope everyone stands together, not only the players, the technical staff and the administration team, but also the media, fans, and everyone during this time - because the two remaining matches can lead us to the World Cup finals.
“Of course, the first play-off against Australia will be difficult for sure, but with solidarity, we will be able to make the UAE fans happy.”
The UAE have qualified for a World Cup once before, in 1990. Arruabarrena, the former Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli manager, was appointed in February as replacement for Bert van Marwijk, helping guide the UAE through the final two matches in the third round of qualification.
A 1-0 victory in the second of those, against Group A leaders South Korea in Dubai, secured third place in the standings and the team’s place in the play-offs.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
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